Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson said told reporters that Dykes was armed when officers entered the bunker to rescue the boy. He said the Ethan had been threatened but would not comment further as to how, saying only, "That's why we went inside - to save the child."

The Sheriff would also not be drawn on how Dykes died, despite it being widely reported that he was shot.

Although the authorities have not released full details of the rescue of the little boy, nearby residents say they heard 'what sounded like gunshots' at the time the FBI entered the shelter.

Jimmy Lee Dykes was described as being 'known by neighbours for his anti-government rants and for patrolling his property with a gun'. He was said to be 'ready to shoot trespassers'. He had also reportedly stayed in the tiny bunker at his home before.

Ethan has now been reunited with his mum, and was said to be 'OK' after arriving at local Flowers Hospital sitting up on a stretcher.

Alabama State Senator Harri Anne Smith praised his mum's conduct throughout the harrowing week-long ordeal, saying she had been 'incredible'.

"Mom has been incredible, she has been so brave and has always known her son would be brought home safe," Ms Smith told reporters.

Special Agent in Charge Stephen Richardson said he had been to the hospital to visit Ethan and he was 'laughing, joking, eating and doing the things you'd expect a normal five or six-year-old to do'.

Last week, sources in Alabama revealed that Ethan has Asperger's syndrome and attention deficit disorder, which could impact on how he attempted to cope with his ordeal.

"A typical five-year-old child would find this frightening. But with a child with Asperger's, which is a form of autism," State Rep Steve Clouse told CNN.

''We have to make sure that we get him back to his normal routines and that if the anxiety levels are overwhelming, to treat those."